Apparatus for dyeing.



PATBNTBD AUG. 1, 1,905.

J A WILLARD APPARATUS. POR DYEING.

APPLICATION FILED PEB. Z4, 1904. RBNBWED D EU. 29,1904

Mj'mfed,"

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES A. WILLARD, OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE` ASSIGNOR TO VACUUM DYEING MACHINE COMPANY, OF CHATTANOOGA, TEN- NESSEE, A CORPORATION OF TENNESSEE.

APPARATUS FOR DYEING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 1, A1905.

Application filed February 24, 1904. Renewed December 29, 1904. Serial No. 238,836.

To (all whm'lt it 77'1//1/,7/ concern:

Be it known that I, J AMES A, WILLARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chattanooga, in the county of Hamilton and State March 24, 1903; No. 744,147, November 17,v

1903, and application Serial No. 179,848, filed November 4, 1903.

The object of the invention is to construct an apparatus which is particularly adapted for dyeing, washing', and fixing dyestutfs upon the material being operated on while it is submerged at all times without the material coming in contact with air until the color has been set and made fast or permanent, and, furthermore, so constructed as to permit of readily removing from the apparatus the material after it has been treated, and, furthermore, to permit of transporting the treated material to any point desired.

One of the essential features of the invention is to construct the apparatus without the employment of a vertically-extending rod arranged centrally of an outer receptacle for the dye liquor and extending through a removable perforated bottom plate and a removable perforated compression-plate, the structure just referred to forming a part of the subject-matter of the patents hereinbefore noted, as well as the pending application, hereinbefore noted. It has been found that the employment of this central rod prevents the removal of the treated material, as said material is liable to twist around the rod and retard the removal of the material, as well as the removable bottom plate upon which the material is compressed and supported within the apparatus.

Another of the improvements upon the structures disclosed by the patents hereinbefore noted, as well as said pending application, hereinbefore noted, lies in the manner of retaining the compression-plate within the apparatus during the operation of dyeing or washing.

The invention further aims to provide an apparatus adapted for use in dyeing raw cotL ton, raw wool, or similar materials which shall be extremely simple in its construction,strong, durable, eiiicient in its operation, readily and easily set up, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of the novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more specifically described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and particularly pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, and which illustrates a sectional side elevation of the apparatus.

Referring to the drawing by reference characters, 1 denotes an open vat or receptacle adapted t0 be mounted upon a suitable support and reinforced exteriorly at its lower end by an annular angle-shaped brace member 2, which is secured to the vat or receptacle 1 in any desired manner. The preferred contour of the vat or receptacle 1 is cylindrical, although any other desired shape may be employed. In the vat or receptacle 1, a suitable distance from the lower end thereof, is arranged the bottom 3 of inverted cupshaped formation, with the depending portion 31L of said bottom secured in position by a plurality of holdfast devices 3b. The bottom 3 is reinforced by means of the braceirons 3C, secured to the lower face thereof.

Arranged within the vat or receptacle l is an annular casing 4, tapering` downwardly slightly, so that the diameter of said casing will decrease from the top to the bottom thereof. The casing 4 is of much less diameter than the vat or receptacle 1, so as to form a chamber or space 4b for the purpose hereinafter referred to, and said casing 4 is secured to the bottom 3 through the medium of the angle member secured to the inner face of the casing 4 at the bottom thereof by holdfast devices 5 and to the upper face of the bottom 3 through the medium of the holdfast devices 5l. The casing 4 is reinforced at its top by an annular band 5d, secured thereto by the holdfast devices 5e.

Arranged within the casing 4 is a removable perforated bottom plate 6, which isA adapted to support the material to be treated,

and upon said plate 6 the material is compressed in the manner as hereinafter set forth. To permit of the removal of the plate 6, the same is provided with a plurality of eyes or other eq uivalent devices 6, to which is adapted to be secured a hoisting device. rl`he plate 6 has depending from its lower face a pair of supporting members 6" and 6C, which are adapted to rest upon the member 5. The supporting member 6b is of smaller diameter than the member 6c, and these members 6b and 6C are annular'in contour and angular in cross-section. The diameter of the plate 6 with respect to the casing 4 is such that when said plate 6 is arranged within the casing 4 a clearance-space will be had between the edge of the plate 6 and the inner face of the casing 4.

The apparatus is provided with means for compressing the material to be treat-ed, and said means consists of a perforated compression-plate 7, reinforced by the truss-braces 7a,

secured` to the upper face of said plate 7 through the medium of the hold fast devices 7b. The truss-braces 7DL are suitably disposed throughout the upper face of the plate 7 and are of such length that they extend at a point removed from the center of the upper face of the plate 7 to a point removed from the edge of the plate 7. Mounted upon the upper face of the plate 7, registering with the edge thereof and projecting inwardly, is a reinforcing angle-shaped member 7c, which is secured to the truss-braces 7u by the holdfast devices 7" and to the plate 7 by the holdfast devices 7e. The member 7C is also adapted to form a seat for the means which retains the plate 7 in position after the material to be treated has been compressed. rlhe plate 7 is provided with a plurality of chains or other equivalent devices 7l to permit of attaching thereto a suitable hoisting device, so that said plate can be removed from within the casing 4. The hoisting device for the plate 7 is the same as that employed for the plate 6 and, as shown, consists of a chain-hoist 8, connected to a trolley 9, operating' upon a track 10. By the employment of the hoisting device 8, trolley 9, and track 10 the plate 7, as well as the plate 6 and as well as the material upon the plate 6, can be transported to any point desired.

The retaining means for the removable perforated compression-plate 7 consists of a plurality of vertically-extending rods 11, (only one shown,) arranged within the space 4b, eX- tending above the top of the vat or receptacle 1 and secured to the inner face of the vat or receptacle 1 by means of the holdfast devices 11". The construction of the rods 11 is such that they will project away a portion of their length from the inner face of the vat or receptacle 1. Each of the rods 11 is formed with a stop-flange 11b and with an elongated slot 11. Loosely mounted upon each of the rods 11 is a sleeve 11, provided with an inverted-L-shaped dog 11e, having an elongated slot 11i. The dog 11e is adapted to be shifted into and out of the casing 4, and when shifted out of the casing 4 the flange 11b arrests its downward movement upon the rod 1,1. The slot 11c in each of the rods 11 is adapted to receive a wedge l1h for retaining the dog 11e in its set position when extending in the casing 4. The dogs 11e are adapted to seat themselves upon the member 7c when the plate 7 is in the casing 4, so as to retain said plate in position. It will be evident that when the material is placed upon the plate 6 and the plate 7 placed upon the material and the dogs 11c shifted upon the member 7c and the wedges 11h driven home such operation will compress` the material within the casing 4 and retain the plate 7 in position. When it is desired to remove the plate 7, all that is necessary is to drive the wedges 111l out of the openings 11c and shift the dogs 11e by grasping the same in the slots 11i. Arranged within the space or chamber 4b is a steam heating-pipe 12 for the dye liquor.

The apparatus is provided with a pipe sy"- tem communicating with a pump, so as to circulate the dye liquor or washing medium through the material to be treated or through the material which has been treated in one direction or in alternate directions, and for such purpose the Vat or receptacle 1 is provided in its side with the openings 13 14 and in its bottom with the opening 15, and above the opening 15 a'deiiector 16 is provided to distribute the dye liquor or washing medium when it is supplied to the opening 16. The pipe system comprises a primary feed-pipe consisting of the members 17 and 18, connected together by the elbow-coupling 19. The member 17 is connected to the bottom 3, as at 20, and the member 18 is attached to a T-coupling 21, which carries a th ree-'way valve 22. Communicating with the opening 14 is a suction-pipe 28, which is secured to the vat or receptacle 1, as at 24. The suction-pipe 23 is attached to a T-coupling 25, having' a three-way valve 26.` rlhe T-couplings 21 and 25 are connected together by the pipe member 27 for establishing' communication between said couplings.

rlhe referencecharacter 28 denotes a pump, and which communicates with the T-coupling 25 through the medium of the pipe connections 29. The pump 28 also communicates with the T-coupling 22 through the medium of the pipe member 30, T-coupling 31, and pipe member 32. The pipe connection 29 may be termed the inlet for the pump, and the pipe member 30 may be termed the outlet for the pump. L

The reference character 33 denotes the secondary feed-pipe, which communicates with the interior of the vat or receptacle 1 and is connected thereto, as at 34. The pipe 33 is also connected, through the medium of the elbow-coupling 35, with the pipe member 36, communicating with the T-coupling 37, having a three-way valve 38. The T-coupling 37 communicates with the T-coupling 31 through the medium of the pipe member 39, and the T-conpling 37 has also communicating therewith a suiiply-pipe 40, which communicates with a suitable source of supply. The secondary feed-pipe is used when it is desired to circulate the dye liquor or washing medium downwardly through the material.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows, the material being compressed within the casing 4 and the compression-plate retained in position in the manner as hereinbefore set forth: The dyestulf having been previously dissolved, it is now run into the vat or receptacle 1 in such a quantity until it reaches the height of several inches above the plate 7. It is then brought to boil by the addition of steam to pipe 12. rlhe body of dye liquor required is of suchquantity that it completely submerges the casing 4, so that when the liquor is drawn from the vat or receptacle 1 and forced through the material within the casing 4 a sufcient quantity of dye liquor will remain in the vat or receptacle 1, so as to still submerge the` casing 4, or, in other words, the quantity of dye liquor is such that during the entire dyeing operation the casing 4 containingl the material will be submerged. The various valves are then set, so that the circulation of dye liquor in the manner as hereinafter set forth will be obtained. The pump 28 is then started, the pump drawing the dye liquor from the vat or receptacle 1 into the pipe 23, thence through the pipe connection Q9 into the pump, where it is discharged therefrom by the pressure thereof into the pipe members 30 and 32 and thence into the pipe members 18 and then through the member 17 into the vat or receptacle 1 and thence up through the perforated plate 6. the material within the casing 4, the perforated compression-plate 7, and into the receptacle'or vat 1. The foregoing operation is continued for a few minutes, when the valves are reversed, so that the course of circulation may be changed, and in this particular the dye liquor is drawn from the vat or receptacle 1 into the members 17 18, up through the member 27, and through the pipe connection 29 into the pump. The pressure of the pump then forces the dye liquor through pipe member 30 into the member 39, then up through the member 36 into the feed-pipe 33, where it is discharged into the vator receptacle 1 and then passes through the'perforated plate 7, material within the casing 4, perforated plate 6, and then discharged into the member 17. This operation is continued as long as it is necessary. The circulation of the washing medium is the same as that of the dye liquor; but preferably all the dye liquor is removed from the vat or receptacle 1 before the washing' action takes place. After the material has been dyed and washed the dogs 11e are released and swu'ng out of the casing 4, and the plate 7is then removed by the hoisting device and transferred to any suitable place. The hoisting device is then connected with the plate 6, and said plate and material are removed from the machine and transferred to any point desired. Preferably the hoisting means employed for elevating the plate 6 is the same as that employed for the plate 7, which, as shown, is the chains 7, the chains being placed in position before the material is packed in the cylinder.

The constructing of the apparatus without the center rod facilitates the easy removal of the material and plate 6, owing to the fact that the material is not in a position to twist around this center rod,as said rod is not employed, and the employment of the wedges for retaining the dogs in position is far superior to theproviding of the rods 11 with screw-threads, as they Wear very readily, and consequently will not hold the collars 11I in their set position. The providing of the plate 7 with the trussbraces 7L reinforces the plate to such an eX- tent that buckling of the same at the center is prevented. Y

It will be evident that owing to the compression of the material to be dyed the same will form a substantially solid mass and will also give a certain amount of resistance to the pump. It also insures a more uniform dyeing, as each and every portion of the material offers the same resistance to the dye liquor. If the material is placed in a loose condition within the casing 4, the dye liquor would have a tendency to pass around the material and not directly through it, as would be the case when the material is compressed, or, in other words, the loose placing' of the material within the casing 4 will form passages tl'irough which the dye liquor will travel, whereas if the material is compressed it will be substantiall ya solid mass, so that,as above stated, a uniform dyeing is obtained, as each and every portion of the material offers the same resistance to the dye liquor, or, in other words, the dye liquor passes through the material in a uniform manner. It is well understood by dyers that cotton yarns will not take up the dye matter readily; but by the operation of the apparatus hereinbefore set forth the dye liquor is forced through the material in such a manner as to leave the dyestuff on the material and the passing out of the water.

It is thought the many advantages of my improved apparatus for dyeing raw stock, wool, and similar material can be readily understood from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, and it will furthermore be evident that changes, variations, and modifications can be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and I therefore do not wish to restrict myself to the details of construction hereinbefore described and as shown in the accompanying drawing, but reserve the right to make such chang'es, variations, and modifications as come properly within the scope of the protection prayed.

Having thus fully described my invention, what l claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A dyeing apparatus comprising a receptacle provid ed with an inverted-cup-shaped imperforate bottom at a point removed from its lower end, a casing arranged within said receptacle and secured to the bottom thereof, a removable perforated bottom for said casing, said plate provided with means for attaching it to a hoisting device, a perforated compression-plate adapted to be arranged in said casing, said compression plate provided with means for attaching it to a hoisting device, a plurality of vertically-extending slotted rods secured to the inner face of the sides of said receptacle and extending above the same, said rods arranged between said casing and the sides of the receptacle, a collar loosely mounted upon each of said rods, a slotted dog carried by the collar and adapted to extend in said casing and to seat upon said compression-plate 'for retaining it in position, a wedge adapted to extend through the slot in each of the rods yfor retaining the dogs in the position set, a pipe system communicating with said receptacle for circulating a liquid through said casing, and a pump attached to said pipe system. A

2. A dyeing apparatus comprising a receptacle provid ed with an inverted-eup-shaped imperforate bottom at a point removed from its lower end, a casing arranged within said receptacle and secured to the bottom thereof, a removable perforated bottom for said casing, a perforated compression-plate adapted to be arranged in said cylinder, a plurality of vertically-extending slotted rods secured to the innerface of the sides of said receptacle and extending' above the same, said rods arranged between said casingand the sides of the receptacle, a collar loosely mounted upon each of lsaid rods, a slotted dog carried by the collar and adapted to extend in said easing'and to seat upon said compression-plate for retaining it in position, a wedge adapted to extend through the slot in cach of the rods for retaining said dogs in the position set, a pipe system communicatin-g with said receptacle for circulating' a liquid through said casing, a pump attached to said pipe system, a chainhoist adapted to be connected to said compression-plate or to said bottom plate for separately removing said plates from said casing, and a trolley connected to said chain-hoist.

3. An apparatus for dyeing comprising an outer receptacle adapted to contain the dye liquor, an inner receptacle adapted to con'- rupted manner, means for compressing the material within said inner receptacle, and means communicating with said outer receptacle for circulating adye liquor through said casing.

4. In an apparatus for dyeing, the combination of an outer receptacle for the dye liquor, an inner receptacle for the materialto be treated, a compression-plate for the material, and means communicating' with said outer receptacle for circulating a dye liquor through said inner receptacle, of means for retaining the compression-plate in position, said means consisting of a plurality of vertically-extending slotted rods suitably secured to the outer receptacle, vertically adjustable slotted dogs carried by said rods and adapted to engage the com pression-plate for retaining it in position, and wedges extending through said rods for securing the dogs in position.

5. In combination, in an apparatus for dyeing, an outer receptacle for the dye liquor having an inverted-cup-shaped bottom at a point removed from one end thereof, a casing arranged in said receptacle, an annular angleshaped member for securing said casing to the bottom of said outer receptacle, a'removable perforated bottom and material-supporting plate for said casing, a pair of annular angleshaped members depending from the lower face of said plate for supporting it within the casing at a point removed from the bottom of the outer receptacle, a reinforcing perforated compression-plate adapted to be arranged in said casing upon the material supported by said bottom plate, a plurality of vertically-extending slotted rods secured to the side of said outer receptacle and arranged between said casing and said outer receptacle and projecting above said outer receptacle, sleeves loosely mounted upon said rods, slotted dogs carried by said sleeves and adaptedito extend in said casing and engage said compression-plate for retaining 'it in position, wedges extending through the slots of the rods for retaining the dogs in position, and a pipe system and pump communicating with said outer receptacle for circulating a dye liquor through said casing.

6. In combination, in an apparatus for dyeing, an outer receptacle for the dye liquor having an inverted-cup-shapcd bottom at a point removed from one end thereof, a casing arranged in said receptacle, an annular angleshaped member for securing said easing to the bottom of said outer receptacle, a removable perforated bottom and material-supporting plate for said casing, a pair of annular angleshaped members depending from the lower face of said plate for supporting it within the casing' at a point removed from the bottom of the outer receptacle, a reinforced perforated compression-plate adapted to be arranged in said casing upon the material supported by said bottom plate, a plurality of vertically-extendtain the material to beA treated in an uninterl ing slotted rods secured to the side of said outer receptacle and arranged between said casing and said outer receptacle and projecting above said outer receptacle, sleeves loosely mounted upon said rods, slotted dogs carried by said sleeves and adapted to extend in said casing and engage said compression-plate for retaining it in position, Wedges extending through the slots of the rods for retaining the dogs in position, a pipe system and pump communicating with said outer receptacle for circulating a dye liquor through said casing, a chain-hoist adapted to be connected with said plates for separately removing them from said casing, and a shifting means for said chainhoist.

7. An apparatus for dyeing comprising an outer receptacle having its bottom provided with a combined inlet and outlet for the dye liquor' and the remaining portion of its bottom imperforate, a casing secured Within said receptacle and forming an inner receptacle for the material to be treated, said receptacle adapted to contain the material in an uninterrupted manner, a removable perforated bottom plate Within said casing for supporting the material, a compression-plate for the material adapted to be arranged in said inner receptacle, an adjustable dog and Wedge mechanism adapted to engage said compressionplate for retaining it in position, and means communicating with said outer receptacle for circulating a dye liquor through said inner and outer receptacles.

8. An apparatus for dyeing comprising an outer receptacle having its bottom provided with al combined inlet and outlet for the dye liquor and the remaining portion of its bottom imperforate, a casing secured Within said receptacle and forming an inner receptacle for the material to be treated, said receptacle adapted to contain the material in an uninterrupted manner, a removable perforated bottom plate Within said casing for supporting the materiali, a compressionplate for the material adapted to be arranged in said inner receptacle, an adjustable dog and Wedge mechanism adapted to engage said compressionplate for retaining it in position, means communicating With said outer receptacle for circulating a dye liquor through said inner and outer receptacles, and means. for separately l removing said com pression-plate and said bottom plate With the material thereon from said inner receptacle.

9. An apparatus for dyeing comprising an outer receptacle having its bottom provided with a combined inlet and outlet. for the dye liquor and the remaining portion of its bottom imperforate, a casing secured Within said receptacle and forming an inner receptacle for the material to be treated, said receptacle adapted to contain the material i1; an uninterrupted manner, a removable perforated bottom plate Within said casing for supporting the material a compression-plate for the material adapted to be arranged in said inner receptacle, an adjustable dog and Wedge mechanism adapted to engage said compression-plate for retaining' it in position, means communicating with said outer receptacle for circulating a dye liquor through said inner and outer receptacles, and a chain-hoist adapted to be connected with said plates for separately removing the compression-plate and the bottom plate With the material thereon from said inner receptacle.

10. An apparatus for dyeing comprising an outer receptacle having' its bottom provided with a combined inlet and outlet for the dye liquor and the remaining` portion of its bottom imperforate, a casing secured Within said receptacle and forming an inner receptacle for the material to be treated, said receptacle adapted t0 contain the material in an uninterrupted manner, a removable perforated loottom plate Within said casing for supporting the material, a com pressionplate for the material adapted to be arranged in said inner receptacle, an adjustable dog and Wedge mechanism adapted to engage said compression-plate for retaining it in position, and means communicating with said outer receptacle for circulating a dye liquor in alternate directions through said receptacles.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JAMES A. VVILLARD.

Witnesses:

E. W. ARNOLD, E. T. MAcLuAN. 

